Frühling Bar in Mitte appeals to thirty something singles using kitschy (but fun) methods
Frühling Bar in Mitte, a relatively new arrival on the Berlin singles’ bar circuit, seems to have cornered the “I want to meet someone, but don’t want to be drunk or dancing while doing so” end of the market.
Owner Matthias Bauer, 39, opened Frühling in December 2005 to appeal to singles ages thirty and up. His intention was to offer them (and basically only them, as couples are discouraged from attending) something more relaxed than speed dating, yet less random than a disco.
For instance, he brought back the quaint idea of telephones on bar tables, which patrons can use to ring up neighbors whom they fancy.
“This might seem old fashioned, but people really do like them,” Bauer said of the phones, the numbers of which appear above patrons’ tables.
Hostesses also act as mini cupids. If you write a message to someone across the room, they will deliver it to the said person.
In addition, there is a board near the bathroom where people can pin “flit memos.”
Bauer said he thinks his bar fills a hole in the city’s singles’ offerings, and is better than perhaps its nearest competitor, speed dating, which he says “feels like a job interview.”
Apart from the regular nights, Frühling plans to offer theme evenings, such as “big and tall” night, overweight night, single-parents’ night, astrology night, fitness/health nut nights, etc. Check website for current program, www.fruehling-bar.de.
Starting this month, Bauer is also hosting a party at Unsicht-Bar, the restaurant next door where people eat in darkness and are served by visually impaired or blind waiters. Bauer’s party, which takes place on Wednesdays and Fridays, sets up blind dates which literally take place in the darkness
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